Each year FAIRS sets goals for the organization in order to keep the foundation moving in the desired directions. Throughout the years many projects have been completed by the hands or monetary support of the foundation. This document presents the highlights of the foundation’s work from 2008-2009.
Construction is complete on the Dominica Amateur Radio Club International (DARCI) headquarters creating a center for relief activities, communication training, and a venue for meetings. Many DARCI club members train individuals across the island in communications, emergency assistance and community service which leads to the number of licensed volunteers to increasing exponentially. Many hours of service to update systems, repair equipment, install equipment and present trainings were completed by volunteers David and Gaynell Larsen, Tom King, Seth Sjoestrom and George Morriss. Communications equipment, supplies, and medicines were also distributed to many individuals across Dominica. Many amateur radio operators and volunteers from across the United States work alongside FAIRS to provide the support to Dominica.
In the village of Castle Bruce in Dominica a need was established for medical supplies, support for their council and help to equip new licensees. FAIRS assisted the community by reinforcing or replacing existing equipment, providing additional power, and funding for maintenance. Radios and a central Hf station were provided for the community, new amateur radio enthusiasts, and emergency personnel to use. Emergency equipment and plans are necessary because the island is located in a very hurricane prone area. Kids for Christ (KFC), a program to provide lunches 3 times a week feeding approximately 50 school children at each meal. The Castle Bruce Community Center provides after school help, and provides many supplies students do not have access to at home. In addition to the many other projects in Castle Bruce a new pre-school program, located in a renovated basement, is now in full operation.
The need for people in Castle Bruce to receive training and full time jobs led to the creation of an agricultural training project. The village of Wotten Waven was granted a section of land for a community center to be built on. Funds for construction of the center were raised and donated by FAIRS. After the construction was completed and the computers to be shared within the community were setup ready to use. FAIRS and volunteers are also working to better the education of school aged children by implementing helps which offer school supplies, teaching materials, books, and more. Many students of Dominica after receiving a quality education move out of the country which raises concern. FAIRS is working to encourage students from the community to use their skills in local businesses, not out of the country. Hon Rayburn Blackmoore implemented goodwill activities in 2006, to keep these activities moving FAIRS is providing sponsorships.
In order to increase communications, disaster preparedness, and economic development around the world FAIRS also continues to support amateur radio operators. FAIRS is currently cooperating with: Grenada, St. Lucia and Guyana (besides Dominica) in the Eastern Caribbean, Canada, Bangladesh, and Ukraine. Radio equipment including handy talkies, two-way radios, antennas, connectors, coax antenna feed line, and training materials were shipped to Bangladesh. Bangladesh and FAIRS’ work to install repeaters is on hold because of political hindrance. FAIRS is prepared to assist with the repeaters when the permission to help is granted. The Grenada Amateur Radio Club, recognized as a body to conduct exams for amateur radio licenses, received radio equipment, literature, and funds from FAIRS in order to make their program stronger.
FAIRS also supports missions of faith and community construction, especially within the Commonwealth of Dominica. This includes dispatch churches, service teams, increased available resources for various groups, Christian Education and providing food for families in need. The “Love One, Teach One” (LOTO) Foundation works to help feed and tutor children of impoverished families. FAIRS provided monetary support to the LOTO Foundation, and helped supply items including furniture and appliances. Founder Gloria Walsh began many programs within the foundation including one in which individuals are encouraged to sponsor a child. Please visit www.loveoneteachone.org for more information regarding this foundation. FAIRS also supports the following groups or individuals and their endeavors:
–Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries who works on various projects on the island of Dominica focusing on serving those children who are infected with AIDS.
–Josanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce, Dominica, who is beginning her education at Caribbean Wesleyan. She also oversees Dominicans Against Drugs (DAD) and subsidiary children’s programs.
–Operation Mobilization: mission teams serving individuals and transforming communities.
–Other missionaries and churches with outreach to the same groups or communities
In addition to FAIRS aid to Dominica, communication support also benefits Ghana, West Africa. Funds were raised to benefit those communities located in Ghana by providing fresh water, communication equipment, and the message of the Gospel. FAIRS provided the materials and funds while the hands on work was completed by missionaries because of cultural preference. As a practical form of transportation between communities missionaries were provided with bicycles so they could work effectively.
Not only does FAIRS function internationally, but also within the local community here in Floyd, Virginia. The work extends to train local citizens as ambassadors to assist in emergency or community services as ham radio operators. Local volunteers are cooperating with groups and service organizations more effectively than in recent years. Training times and education outing are regularly attended which led to an increase in new licensees and members. Winlink 2000, an online worldwide program designed to handle message for radio purposes now serving Floyd ham operators at 1450070 mhz. The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association (DERA) provides a memorandum of operation of which FAIRS operates according to. During all phases of an emergency DERA allows for professionals, volunteers, and organizations to be linked. Tom King W4VZH, the Floyd County Emergency Coordinator, and FAIRS work together as a team effort. The 2008 Dayton Hamvention, attended by Tom King, provided ideas of several opportunities for expanding volunteerism and goodwill. Additional visibility for the goodwill efforts of HAM radio operators in Floyd is provided by an Adopt a Highway program located along state route 8 which began in 2006. Monthly meetings are hosted to provide classroom instruction and field instruction for local citizens interested in becoming a ham operator or taking part in Floyd County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). In order to inform the Floyd Community of the importance of HAM operations, presentations are made at local functions, articles written to be published in the Floyd Press and speaking to community members.
Experiential learning opportunities are provided for students in the area of communications, businesses, and agriculture. FAIRS began “I CAN! … MY DIRECTED THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE” as a local student program providing take home materials for encouragement and provocation of thought. Economic assistance I also provided to students of the program for the purpose of community development and greater goodwill. FAIRS works to insure that materials for education and motivational purposed are spread through the community and local schools. FAIRS, as a part of the LCF Group also began the first student internship position in 2008 held by Autumn Townley.
In order to better the Floyd Community FAIRS participates alongside many local programs. Such as the Floyd Professional Center, located in the Village Green in downtown Floyd, which is an incubator for small businesses and serves as a next step toward a prosperous, technology-based future in Floyd. In order to further the sense of community within local businesses www.floydcountyvirginia.org was created to increase visibility of all types of business within Floyd and surrounding localities, encouraging locals and tourists to “Find it Faster Online!” FLOYD VIRGINIA, a full color magazine, highlights the everyman perspective in Floyd County and tells unique stories about our small town, businesses, and our people. The Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter editions were a huge success as more than 25,000 copies were distributed in 2008 and the number more than doubled in 2009. Finally, FAIRS is erecting a radio tower on top of the Village Square in the Town of Floyd for public use and as an attraction. This tower allowed amateur radio communications to be continuous over the eastern half of the state. The tower will provide a promotion of the Town and County of Floyd, emergency communications, education, outreach to our community and those who visit our locality.